Hong Kong court begins hearing for Jimmy Lai on national security convictions – Firstpost

A Hong Kong court on Monday began hearing arguments on how to sentence pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, with judges considering punishments that could include life imprisonment, following his conviction on national security-related charges.

Lawyers are addressing three High Court judges from 10 am (0200 GMT), with proceedings scheduled to run for four days.

Convictions under national security law

Lai was convicted last month on two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion under Hong Kong’s national security law, which was imposed by Beijing in 2020 after large and at times violent pro-democracy protests in the city. The 78-year-old was also found guilty of publishing seditious articles through his now-closed Apple Daily newspaper.

In an 856-page verdict, the judges wrote that Lai “harboured his resentment and hatred of (China) for many of his adult years” and sought the “downfall of the Chinese Communist Party”. Under the national security law, collusion offences “of a grave nature” carry a prison term of between 10 years and life, while the colonial-era crime of sedition carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail.

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International reaction and appeals

Lai, a British citizen, can appeal against the convictions. The UK government has previously condemned his “politically motivated prosecution” and called for his release. US President Donald Trump also stated he had asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to consider releasing Lai.

Judges began Monday’s hearing by confirming the guilty pleas of two co-defendants, Chan Tsz-wah and Li Yu-hin. The pair, along with six Apple Daily executives, had pleaded guilty in the same case and are also awaiting sentencing. Over the weekend, dozens of people queued outside the West Kowloon court building, with some telling AFP they hoped to secure a seat in the public gallery to support Lai.

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Health concerns raised by family

Lai has been in custody since 2020, with authorities saying he has been held in solitary confinement at his own request. His children, Sebastien and Claire, have warned in recent months that their diabetic father had “lost a very significant amount of weight” and showed signs of nail and tooth decay. The Hong Kong government has repeatedly denied the claims, insisting that Lai has received “adequate and comprehensive” care while in detention.

Amnesty International reported last month that Lai’s conviction “feels like the death knell for press freedom in Hong Kong”, while the Committee to Protect Journalists described the case as a “sham”. A government spokesperson responded that the case “has nothing to do with freedom of speech and of the press at all”, accusing Lai of using journalism as a cover to commit crimes.

According to official figures, Hong Kong had arrested 385 people for various national security offences and convicted 175 of them as of January 1. Police made nearly 70 national security-related arrests last year, more than double the figure from 2024.

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